Seahawks 2020 draft: 5 questions about receiver Freddie Swain

The Seahawks wanted a receiver in the 2020 draft. In Freddie Swain, they got a nice slot receiver. Here are 5 questions about Swain with Hail Florida Hail.

The Seahawks still need a good slot receiver. Tyler Lockett can play inside and out and D.K. Metcalf plays just outside. Sure, the Seahawks signed Phillip Dorsett this offseason but is he a really good fit for Seattle? That remains to be seen.

Seattle would like 2020 draftee Freddie Swain to be really good, though. And to get more information on Swain, I asked Matthew Clark of FanSided’s Gators site, Hail Florida Hail, the five following questions.

12th Man Rising: What are some of your favorite memories from Freddie Swain in college, the moments that stand out to you?

Matthew Clark: Freddie had such a solid career with the Gators, it is hard to pick out one particular moment. I would have to say that his game against Auburn back in October 2019 was a highlight. He had six catches for 146 yards, including a monster grab from quarterback Kyle Trask that went for 64 yards and a touchdown in the first few minutes of the game. That was his best receiving game, by far, as a Gator and really showed his true ability on the field.

12th Man Rising: What kind of teammate do you think he was and how do you think he will transition off the field to the pros?

Matthew Clark: Because Florida was loaded at receiver, Freddie was forced to sometimes take a back seat to others like Van Jefferson and even tight end Kyle Pitts — who became one of Trask’s favorite targets. But, over the course of the season, you never really heard of Swain griping or complaining about the number of catches he wasn’t getting. He gelled well with the rest of the receiver corps and was a big factor in helping Trask transition to the starting quarterback position after Feleipe Franks went down with a season-ending injury.

12th Man Rising: What are some of the strengths that should help him help the Seahawks?

Matthew Clark: It isn’t likely that Pete Carroll will use Swain as a big, deep threat receiver. At least not now. However, his route-running ability and speed should make him a solid backup to Phillip Dorset in the slot receiver position. Short underneath routes could be someplace where Swain makes the biggest impact for Seattle.

12th Man Rising: What would be some of your biggest concerns about him on the field in the NFL and for the Seahawks?

Matthew Clark: Coming out of Florida, Swain doesn’t bring to biggest stat load to the table. A lot of that is because the Gators had so many weapons in the receiving game — even running back Lamical Perine was a receiving threat. His speed and hands aren’t the issues, it’s the fact that his production wasn’t all that impressive. Again, however, that is likely due to the fact that Trask had so many people to throw to and less on Swain’s ability to catch the ball and make plays.

12th Man Rising: What are some of the things, on the field or off the field or both, 12s might not know about Freddie Swain but should know?

Matthew Clark: In all, Swain is a pretty quiet guy. He’s not that outspoken and basically comes to work to do the job. One thing that might be of interest is that, in addition to being a solid receiver, Swain is actually one of the best punt returners around. Defenses swarmed around him on returns at first, then kickers just kicked away from him at the end. In 2018, Colorado State made the mistake of kicking to him and he returned one for 85 yards and a touchdown. That same year, he was 19th nationally with a 10.2-yard punt return average.